Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII) lesion - Disorders of cranial nerves

Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII) lesion

Anatomy

The VIIIth nerve carries sensory information from the cochlear and vestibular apparatus. The auditory fibres arise from the cochlea and pass to the pontine auditory nucleus. These then project to the temporal lobes. The vestibular nerves arise from the semicircular canals and pass to the vestibular nuclei in the pons, and the cerebellum.

Function

Hearing (cochlear nerve) and movement/position of head in space, for balance and head–eye coordination (vestibular nerve).

Specific causes

Meni´ere’s` disease, acoustic neuroma, lead, aminoglycosides, furosemide, Paget’s disease, herpes zoster.

Clinical features

Sensorineural deafness, tinnitus, vertigo, nystagmus.